Jon Nehls
Director of Field Operations
Meet Jon
Jon leads regional field operations for Mortenson’s Data Center Solutions, bringing more than 25 years of experience and a hands-on approach to building strong teams and delivering complex projects.
Professional Experience
Jon began his Mortenson career as a field engineer in 1999 and advanced through field leadership roles to become Director of Field Operations for Data Center Solutions. He sets the strategic direction for regional field operations, with responsibilities spanning relationship management, preconstruction, business development, constructability reviews and field personnel hiring. Beyond his operational leadership, Jon is a passionate advocate for workforce development, dedicating himself to mentoring the next generation of builders and championing initiatives that bring young adults into the skilled trades. An active community and industry leader, Jon has contributed his expertise to the U.S. Green Building Council, the Associated General Contractors of America (Milwaukee Chapter), and the American Concrete Institute (Wisconsin Chapter).
Education:
Bachelor of Science, Construction Management
University of Northern Michigan
Board Positions:
Construction Management Advisory Council, Northern Michigan University
Committee Member
My favorite part of the job is championing the next generation of builders.
Hands-on leadership
Great leadership starts with a simple rule: never ask someone to do something you are not willing to do yourself. I strive to be approachable and actively present on-site so our craft and non-craft team members know I have their backs. My mentors taught me that true leaders do not just hand down instructions; they demonstrate how to solve problems. When I joined the Data Center Group, I worked alongside our superintendents to establish unified workflows and shared standards. That collaboration helped us grow from a collection of individuals into a cohesive leadership team.
Building more than data centers
What excites me most about our data center projects is how we prioritize making a positive impact in the communities where we build. We form authentic partnerships with local schools, organizations and neighbors and have open conversations about where the data center industry started, where it is today and where it is headed. Pulling back the curtain on these complex projects builds transparency and trust. Ultimately, we want communities to view our data centers not just as construction sites, but as long-term investments in our shared future.
Putting people and safety first
Mortenson’s culture is defined by our people and how they show up for one another every day. The conviction that everybody matters is practiced from senior leadership through our trade partners. Because we genuinely value our people, safety is our highest priority, and team well-being takes precedence over the project schedule. Our team members come to work knowing we have their backs, feeling empowered to speak up and confident that our culture is built on looking out for one another.
Personal Passions
Over a decade ago, as schools began shifting away from trade programs, I noticed a growing workforce gap in our industry. When I asked my oldest brother, a high school principal at the time, why students weren't exploring construction, he pointed to a simple lack of early recruitment. That conversation sparked a personal mission. I joined local education boards and began mentoring through Wisconsin apprenticeship programs to help introduce inner-city youth to construction careers, eventually becoming chairman of the Waukesha Engineering Preparatory Academy. After five years of persistent advocacy, our efforts led Mortenson to utilizing the Wisconsin Youth Apprenticeship Program for high school students, opening a previously unavailable career pathway. This initiative laid the groundwork for our Milwaukee team’s investment in the next generation. In fact, one of the very first apprentices from that program is still with us a decade later, a proud testament to the lasting impact of early workforce development.
Interests
- Spending time with family
- Hunting, farming and knifemaking
- Rebuilding a classic car I’ve had since I was 18